MFRFX vs. MFEIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MFS Research Fund (MFRFX) and MFS Growth I (MFEIX).

MFRFX is managed by MFS. It was launched on Oct 13, 1971. MFEIX is managed by MFS. It was launched on Jul 10, 1997.

Performance

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Research Fund (MFRFX) and MFS Growth I (MFEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFRFX MFS Research Fund	-7.53%	12.80%	18.77%	22.49%	-17.21%	24.66%	16.63%	33.13%	-4.51%	23.31%
MFEIX MFS Growth I	-10.32%	12.34%	49.67%	36.15%	-31.14%	23.59%	31.65%	37.69%	2.30%	30.86%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFRFX achieves a -7.53% return, which is significantly higher than MFEIX's -10.32% return. Over the past 10 years, MFRFX has underperformed MFEIX with an annualized return of 11.79%, while MFEIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.88% annualized return.

MFRFX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -7.81%
• YTD: -7.53%
• 6M: -6.00%
• 1Y: 9.55%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: 11.79%

MFEIX

• 1D: 3.82%
• 1M: -5.75%
• YTD: -10.32%
• 6M: -10.97%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 22.85%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 15.88%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFRFX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than MFEIX's 0.60% expense ratio.

MFRFX

MFS Research Fund

MFEIX

MFS Growth I

Return for Risk

MFRFX vs. MFEIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MFRFX

MFRFX Risk / Return Rank: 25
MFRFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
MFRFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
MFRFX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
MFRFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
MFRFX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

MFEIX

MFEIX Risk / Return Rank: 18
MFEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MFEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MFEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
MFEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
MFEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Research Fund (MFRFX) and MFS Growth I (MFEIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MFRFX	MFEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	0.49	+0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	0.85	+0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.12	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	0.61	+0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	2.06	+0.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFRFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is comparable to the MFEIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFRFX and MFEIX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFRFX	MFEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	0.49	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.52	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.75	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.42	+0.01

Correlation

The correlation between MFRFX and MFEIX is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Dividend Comparison

MFRFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.40%, more than MFEIX's 16.72% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFRFX MFS Research Fund	17.40%	16.09%	10.04%	6.68%	7.56%	5.43%	5.09%	3.68%	12.52%	8.80%	4.63%	6.98%
MFEIX MFS Growth I	16.72%	14.99%	25.47%	4.86%	1.05%	2.76%	3.57%	1.57%	3.78%	2.50%	1.61%	3.65%

Drawdowns

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFRFX drawdown since its inception was -56.15%, smaller than the maximum MFEIX drawdown of -72.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFRFX and MFEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFRFX	MFEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.15%	-72.24%	+16.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-17.30%	+5.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.37%	-36.11%	+12.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.52%	-36.11%	+2.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.63%	-14.14%	+4.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.50%	-23.85%	+9.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	5.14%	-2.42%

Volatility

MFRFX vs. MFEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Research Fund (MFRFX) is 4.20%, while MFS Growth I (MFEIX) has a volatility of 6.97%. This indicates that MFRFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFRFX	MFEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	6.97%	-2.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	12.65%	-3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.84%	21.85%	-4.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.53%	21.93%	-5.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.57%	21.20%	-3.63%